Cabinet Greenlights 98-Day Paid Maternity Leave — Zimbabwe Moves to Match Global Labour Standards
Zimbabwe’s government has approved 98 days of fully paid maternity leave for female public servants, positioning the country at the forefront of regional labour reform and signalling a strong commitment to workplace equity.
The measure, outlined in the Public Service Amendment Bill, was approved by Cabinet this week and is expected to be tabled before Parliament.
The Bill also proposes provisions to outlaw workplace harassment and promote fair, merit-based recruitment and promotions throughout the civil service.
According to Zwnews, the maternity leave proposal aligns with the International Labour Organization’s global minimum of 14 weeks (98 days), but distinguishes itself by guaranteeing full salary coverage—a benefit still lacking in many countries.
The reform is widely regarded as a milestone for Zimbabwean public sector workers who have long faced unpaid or partially paid leave.
In South Africa, the 2013 Basic Conditions of Employment Act allows four months of maternity leave, but payments are drawn from the Unemployment Insurance Fund—usually covering only 38% to 60% of wages.
Nigeria provides 12 weeks at half pay, while Kenya offers 13 weeks at full pay in the public sector, albeit with enforcement gaps. Zimbabwe’s plan would offer both a longer leave period and more secure income support.
Globally, Malaysia recently adopted the 98-day standard. India provides 26 weeks, while Bulgaria remains the global leader with over 58 weeks of state-supported leave.
Zimbabwe’s proposal, if passed, would align the country with a growing list of nations treating maternity protection as a core element of decent work.
Labour experts note that the Bill could not only enhance retention and productivity in the public sector but also set a new benchmark for maternity policy in the private sphere.
Should Parliament pass the Bill, Zimbabwe won’t just be catching up to international norms—it will be standing tall among nations that affirm motherhood as a protected right, not a professional penalty.
